Speed Trap Warnings – Are they Legal?
I was watching an episode of Top Gear (British Car Show) and they did a stint in Japan with the new Nissan GTR. They talked about the speed cameras. But they mentioned that they were marked so drivers had a warning.
I live in a pretty much crime free area, so the police are either busting up parties (not saying its a bad thing, but the truth) or setting speed traps.
Would it be illegal for me to post a sign, much like a campaign sign down the road from the officer warning drivers about the speed trap?
The police has recently addressed an internet mapping system that shows the most common locations for speed traps, they didn't care about it because the point of speed traps is to make people slow down, not to write tickets. My signs would have the same effect. (that is my logic at work)
July 17th, 2009 - 02:36
Nope not illegal go ahead, it slows people down thank you. That means I don’t have to write as many tickets.
Now, they are not "Speed TRAPS" TRAPS refers to the fact that we were entrapping them into speeding, which we don’t. They were speeding and we caught them doing it, we did not force them to speed. The need to start being called "speed ENFORCEMENT zones."
I support the sign idea, the reason behind the "SEZ (speed enforcement zone)" is to get individuals to slow down, not write as many tickets as possible.
July 17th, 2009 - 02:36
I would think you could be charged with "Interfering with an Officers Duty" if they saw you or had a way to determine you posted a sign. I have heard radio stations warning about speed traps, but most of the time the police department is the one making the report so people will slow down in those areas.
July 17th, 2009 - 02:36
In some states, you can be charged with interfering with a police officer.
What you are suggesting is similar to being a lookout for a shoplifter.
July 17th, 2009 - 02:36
I would love for that to happen in my city! I’d say ask the property owner’s permission (along the roadway) and go for it. Make sure it’s not "common ground" owned by the city or they’ll pull it. Put em about 5 ft from the road and it should be fine. I don’t forsee any codes violations or anything. They let you put political signs in your yard so why not? By the way, Top Gear rules! New episode they come to America for the muscle! Wait, I think that was on on Sunday, crap!
July 17th, 2009 - 02:36
Not sure as there’s not such as a "speed trap".
When we run prossie stings, we regularly arrest folks who decide to try to warn the johns (having seen the last five arrests)…with a variety of charges.
July 17th, 2009 - 02:36
Please feel free to post a sign .. doesnt bother me and i’m sure it probably wouldnt bother the officers running the enforcement zone..just make sure you do it on your own property or have permission to place your sign whereever you do it at….The whole point is to get people to slow down anyway..and i’m here to tell ya .. they wont pay attention to your sign anymore than they do the speedlimit signs..
July 17th, 2009 - 02:36
They’re not illegal, though I’m sure the local cops will try to object and say its "interference". Your argument IS valid.
That said, I was drivign to Texas through Oklahoma, and saw a 53′ trailer on the side of the road that had a big banner on it saying "SPEED TRAP AHEAD". Sure enough, there was one about 500 feet ahead, and 500feet past that ANOTHER trailer with ANOTHER sign (for traffic coming the other way). My guess is that the cops put that sign up to do the same job (reduce speed), as well as issue tickets to people that didnt listen.
July 17th, 2009 - 02:36
There is no such thing as a "speed trap". Its real simple-you speed-you get caught. No trapping involved.